Sanitation system



Jan. 26, 1969 L. o. @GER 3,423,766

SANITATION SYSTEM Filed Oct. 13, 1965 FIGJ L. O. EGER Jan. 28, 1969SANITATION SYSTEM Filed Oct.

INVENTOR.

[Pray a yer Arra/m/V United States Patent Ov 12 Claims ABSTRACT F THEDISCLOSURE A portable self-contained toilet and sewage treatment planthaving a flush type toilet including a water storage tank and toiletbowl for the deposit of waste and excreta, with the water storage tankcontaining a float and lever arm connected t-hereto. The system includesa sewage treating tank positioned below the toilet for receiving andtreating water and the waste and excreta deposited in the toilet bowl,with an .upright screen extending from top to bottom across themid-section of the sewage treating tank to divide the tank into forward`and rearward sections, the water and Waste being received in therearward section and the screen maintaining the waste in the rearwardsection.

This invention pertains to a waste disposal system, and moreparticularly, the invention relates to a'method and apparatus for thedisposal and treatment of sewage.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a method andimproved apparatus for the ydisposal of human excrement and the treatingof decomposable waste materials.

Many times situations arise in which it is desirable to install toiletfacilities on a temporary basis or in places where the normal facilitiesof a more permanent nature would be impractical. The need for suchtemporary facilities often arises at construction sites, especiallythose remote from existing sewer lines and in other undeveloped areas.Other situations where it would be desirable to have temporary toiletfacilities include camping and recreational facilities, barracks Iandcamps, an-d at other temporary buildings of one sort or another.Additionally, toilet facilities of a less permanent nature may bedesired where the ground is very hard and impermeable, or where thebedrock is at the ground surface -or very near thereto, and at other:such places Where it would be impossible or impractical to install thenormal permanent type toilet facilities. General objects of theinvention include the provision of an improved porta-ble andself-contained toilet and sewage treatment plant.

While the prior art shows a number of self-contained toilet facilitiesmany of these have drawbacks and disadvantages. Some of the prior artfacilities are not necessarily of a portable nature, which trait isextremely desirable in a toilet facility which is to be installed on atemporary basis. Additionally, many of the prior art devices employequipment which is of a non-standard and unfamiliar nature from the Wellknown and normally used toilet equipment. Many of the devices imake useof a maceratng means or unit through which all waste materials must passand which is of a metal construction having grinding means such asclosely fitting teeth or grinding surfaces contained therein. Should ahard object such as a rock, piece of metal, tool, or the like beIdropped into the toilet, the maceratng unit would become jammed and/orbroken and the toilet unit would no longer function. Among the specificobjects of this invention is the provision of a portable andse-lf-contained waste disposal system wherein the maceratng meansemployed are other than the grinding type and are not cloggable by wasteor 3,423,766 Patented Jan. 28, 1969 damageable by a hard foreign objectaccidentally entering the system through the toilet bowl.

A general object of the instant invention is to provide a waste disposalsystem wherein the necessity of using septic tanks, drain fields, andelaborate sewage systems with the consequent consumption of largequantities of Water for flushing is avoided.

A further general object of the subject invention is to provide anefiicient waste disposal system which is sanitary and which does notrequire any separating, chemical treating, or settling steps orequipment.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sewage disposal systemwhich is self-contained, is of a simple construction, is reliable andeconomical in operation, and is readily transportable.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a self-containedtoilet and sewage treatment plant which may be readily installed fortemporary use and is easily transported from one location to the next.

A specific object of this invention is to provide a selfcontained toiletand sewage treatment plant which ernploys a standard Hush-type tanktoilet.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide aself-contained toilet and sewage treatment plant wherein the maceratngmeans not only macerates the waste, but also, and simultaneously,aerobically treats the sewage and circulates the flushing fluid Withinthe system.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of thisinvention are set forth with particularity in the appended claim-s. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its organization and method ofoperation, together wit-h further objects an-d advantages thereof, maybest be understood by reference to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings. in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective external view of the housing containingthe toilet and sewage treatment apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional View taken along line 2-2 of FIG.l;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional View taken along Iline 4 4 of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the aspirator and adjoininghousing components of the apparatus of this invention; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic and pictorial view of the operativeapparatus and system of this invention.

Referring now to the drawings in Idetail, wherein like referencenumerals indicate like parts throughout the several views thereof; andin particular to FIG. l wherein the system of this invention is seen tobe enclosed in a small housing 10, housing 10 including a roof 12extending outwardly over vertically upstanding side walls 14 and 16, avertically upstanding back wall 18 land a vertical upstanding front 20.A door 22 is pivotally mounted to front wall 20 by a series of hinges 24such that the door may provide an entry and exit opening into thehousing 10. Door 22 has a small handle 26 to aid one in opening andclosing the same and a small screened aperture 28 in its upper portionto provide for ventilation within the housing 10. Additional-1y,vertical side walls 14 and 16 and back wall 18 are provided withscreened openings, such as 30 in side wall 16, in their upper portionsto also aid in the ventilation of the interior of housing 10. Thehousing 10 is mounted over and on sewage holding and treating tank 32,to be described more fully hereinafter, such that the entire system maybe easily and readily moved and transported to any location where it isdesired to use the selfcontained toilet and sewage treatment plant ofthis invention.

Contained within housing 10 is the apparatus of the system of thisinvention; and as seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 comprises the commonordinary type of liush toilet 34. The toilet 34 has a bowl 36 for thedeposit of human excrement and waste from which the same may be hushed,exiting from the toilet bowl 36 through toilet drain pipe 37, and a tank38 for water storage to aid in the flushing of bowl 36. The toilet bowl36 is usually provided with the normal seat and cover therefor (notshown). Water storage tank 38 is provided with the normal tank lid orcover 40 and a small handle 42 is provided by which the flushing cycleis activated.

The toilet 34 rests on and is mounted to floor or platform 44 by boltscovered by caps or covers 46, toilet 34 overlying the top of sewageholding and treating tank 32. A large cylindrical tank 48 is supportedon floor 44 by legs 50, and is attached to side wall 14 by the use ofU-shaped brackets such as at 51. Tank 48, as will be seen hereinafter,is used to hold and treat the fluid used in the sewage treatment systemof this invention. Also mounted to floor 44 and positioned between thebase of the toilet 34 and the bottom of upstanding cylindrical tank 48is a small electrical motor 52 which is connected to and drivesadjacently mounted centrifugal pump 54. The motor and pump provides theoperating power for the entire system; that is, the means for maceratingthe waste, the means for aerobically treating the sewage, and the meansfor circulating water and liuid within the system are all operated bymotor 52 and pump 54.

Underlying oor 44 is tank 32 (see FIG. 3) which holds and treats thesewage deposited therein when the system is in operation. This tank 32is divided into a forward section 56 and a rearward section 58 by theuse of a vertical screen 60 extending across the midsection thereof, seeFIGS. 3 and 6. The openings or mesh of screen 60 is small enough in sizethat it will not permit particles and `bits of waste to passtherethrough, and will prevent the same from passing from the rearwardsection 58 into the forward section 56 of tank 32; but the mesh oropenings in this screen 60 are suiciently large in size to easily andreadily permit the ow and passage therethrough of water. It has beenfound that a screen having l/s inch openings has been acceptable for theintended purposes hereof. The sewage holding and treating tank 32 hastwo vertical upstanding side walls 62 and 64, a flat bottom 65, avertical upstanding back wall 66 and a vertical `upstandiug front wall68. The top of tank 32 is open over the rearward section 58 thereof; thesame being covered by the floor or platform 44 when the tank is in.place within the housing 10. The forward portion 56 of this sewageholding and treating tank 32 is provided with a sloping or inclined top70, through which extends near one of the corners of its lower mostportion an upright stand-pipe 72. The bubbles and foam which becomeentrained in the uid within forward section 56 move upward along theunderside of inclined top 70 to the dividing screen 60 and movetherethrough into the rearward section 58 where they aid in the sewagetreatment being carried out in this section 58, and/ or leave the systemthrough the open top of section 58. The top of standpipe 72 rises to aheight equal to the height of the screen 60 and backwall 66 such thatwater and uid within this tank 32 may rise within standpipe 72 to thesame level as that in rearward portion 58 without overflowing throughthe standpipe.

Leading upward from the upper portion of standpipe 72 is a dow line 74which is connected to and communicates with uid holding and treatingtank 48 through the center of its bottom wall portion. Fluid circulateswithin the system from sewage holding and treating tank 32 into fluidholding and treating tank 48 through flow line 74 in the direction ofarrow 76. A check valve 78 is provided in flow line 74 for preventingthe return of fluid from tank 48 back into sewage tank 32.

Connected to and extending through the upper portion of tank 48 is anoverow line 80 leading from tank 48 to an absorption pit (not shown).Within the overflow line 80 is an air tight check valve 82 to permit anysurplus water to be released when there is no vacuum Within the upperportion of tank 48. Overflow line 80 is provided to handle and drain offany excess fluids which may from time to time build up within the systemin the event that tank 48 should be over lled, or that the fluid addedto the system from a constant or continued use of the toilet 34 exceedsthe amount of fluid evaporated from the system. The fluid that may fromtime to time exit the system through overflow line 80 has `been observedto be clear, odor-free water. The fluid level maintained within tank 48will normally be below overow line 80 but substantially above thehalf-way -mark of the tank 48 to permit refilling of toilet tank 38.After toilet 34 has been flushed and the water contained within thetoilet tank 38 has owed therefrom, tank 38 will be refilled by gravityfeed with the water which has been held in holding tank 48. Therefilling water will ow from tank 48 through a small filter 84 containedtherein and through ll line 86 and check valve 88 over to and -up intotoilet tank 38 such that the toilet 34 will be ready for anothercomplete flushing cycle at a later time. The check valve 88 in ow line86 prevents the backflow into holding tank 48 of the water once itreaches toilet tank 38.

Contained within the rearward section 58 of the sewage holding andtreating tank 32 is an aspirator 90, which with its associated partscompletely breaks down and macerates the sewage and waste materialsdeposited within this system. Also, aspirator 90 aerobically treats thesewage by means of jetting air and oxygen through the same andcirculates the sewage within tank 32 such that it is continually treatedthereby. The aspirator 90 and its concomitant parts, additionallycirculates the uid within the system such that it is used over and overagain therein.

The aspirator 90 is clearly shown in FIG. 5 and is seen to be containedwithin a curved hollow tubing or housing 92 having a tapered passageway93 with a nozzle-like opening 94 adjacent its forward end and a largeropening 96 at its rearward end. The aspirator 90 is driven by pump 54through the pump discharge line 98 which line is connected to thedischarge side of the pump at one end and the aspirator at the other endthereof. As set forth hereinabove, pump 54 is driven by the smallelectric motor 52 connected to a source of electric current (not shown).The intake side of pump 54 is connected to intake line 100, the oppositeend of which is open and is positioned adjacent screen 60 within theforward portion 56 of sewage holding and treating tank 32 and s alsospaced adjacently above the bottom 65 thereof to insure that the fluiddrawn through this line contains substantially no large particles ofwaste or sewage which might clog pump 54 and interfere with the actionof aspirator 90. The water and fluid is drawn from forward section S6through the open end of intake line 100 and up into pump 54 in thedirection of arrow 102 then out the discharge side of the pump downdischarge line 98 in the direction of arrow 104 to the aspirator 90.

Additionally, connected to the aspirator 90 is one end of an air intakeor air supply line 106, the other end of which is connected to andextends through the top of theyrtall cylindrical tank 48. As pump 54pumps water down discharge line 98 in the direction of arrow 104 to theaspirator, the water as it rushes by the connection or air intake line106 to the aspirator draws air through air intake line 106 in thedirection of arrow 108 into the aspirator by a vacuum or sucking action.The air and water mix within the aspirator and exit through theaspirator nozzle or orifice 110 in a forceful jet of water and tine airbubbles 112. This strong jet of air and water exiting aspirator nozzle110 is directed forcefully against the sides of the nozzle or slopingportion of tube 92 and out the nozzle opening 94 of the tube. Due to therushing, turbulent and forceful action at the nozzle 110 of aspirator 90and throughout the rearward section 58 of tank 32, sewage and waste aredrawn into tube 92 through its larger opening 96 such opening beingdisposed adjacent the surface of the fluid within the tank 32. Thesewage and waste which are drawn into tube 92 through its large end 96continues in a path along the inside of tube 92 until it reaches theaspirator nozzle 110, where it is exposed to the forceful jet of theaspirator and by means of the aspirator jet in the confining side wallsof the tube 92 it is broken up, comminuted, pulverized and maceratedinto very fine and small particles. If some pieces of waste or sewagelarger than the screen size are not completely broken down they arere-circulated within the rearward portion 58 of tank 32. The aspirator90 and surrounding tube 92 are preferably positioned in rearward portion58 with large open end 96 of tube 92 at7 on, or near the fluid surfaceWithin the tank 32 such that all floating debris, waste, and sewage maybe easily drawn thereinto and exposed to and treated by the aspiratorjet.

The aspirator 90 is effective to continually jet air and oxygen throughthe sewage and fluid contained in tank 32 and to aerobically treat thesame and oxidize and decompose the waste material contained therein.This aerobic process decomposes by wet combustion the organic orcarbonaceous matter in this tank 32 and is thus a purifying orsepticizing operation. The air and oxygen in the form of flne bubbles112 is jetted down through the fluid and waste mixture within tank 32and circulates back up to the top of the fluid therein in the directionof arrow 114 such that there is a constant and continual turbulence andcirculation of air and oxygen within this tank to aerobically treat anddecompose the waste materials therein.

The aspirator is also positioned to direct the aspirator jet of waterand fine bubbles at and across vertical screen 60 in such a manner thatthe screen is washed and maintained clear and free of small particleswhich might otherwise gather thereon and clog the same. The screen 60,as previously explained, retains any large particles, which are notcompletely broken down by the aspirating means, within the rearwardportion 58 of tank 32 and preventsthe same from entering forward portion56 and being drawn into pump intake line 100.

As hereinbefore stated, the air intake or air supply for aspirator 90is'provided through air line 106 entering thereinto in the direction ofarrow 108. The air and oxygen is sucked through this line by the actionof the aspirator from the top of fluid holding and treating tank 48above the fluid level maintained therein. Thus sucking action of airfrom the top of tank 48 causes a partial vacuum to be maintained withintank 48 above the fluid level therein. Once the vacuum in the upperportion of tank 48 is attained, additional air and oxygen for use in theaspirator is obtained by pulling air from the standpipe 72, flow line 74and upwards through all of the fluid column contained within tank 48,then out air supply line 106 to the aspirator 90. The drawing of airfrom standpipe 72, through flow line 74 and bubbling the same throughthe fluid column in tank 48 causes further aerobic treatment of thefluid within tank 48 and the further oxygen decomposition of anydecomposable fine organic waste materials that may be entrained with thefluid within tank 48, such aerobic treatment and decomposition insuringthat the iluidused for the flushing action or that any fluid leaving thesystem through overflow line 80 is relatively clear, non-toxic,odor-free and sanitary Water.

The vacuum which is formed or drawn in the upper portion of tank 48 bythe air supply line 106 and the aspirator 90 charges and fills tank 48with water and fluid from tank 32 through standpipe 72 and flow line 74after an amount of fluid within tank 48 is used to refill toilet tank 38after a flushing of toilet 34, which operation will be explained morefully hereinafter.

Contained Iwithin the toilet water storage tank 38 is a float operatedvalve 122 which is operated by float 118 and connecting lever arm 120.Valve 122 is normally in the closed position when lever arm 120 andfloat 118 are generally in a horizontal position with the float 118floating on the surface of a substantially full tank of water, asdepicted in FIG. 6. When the toilet 34 is flushed using the flushinglever 42 and the Water contained in toilet tank 38 empties into lbowl36, the lever arm 120 and float 118 fall downward -within the tank andopen valve 122 permitting the release of the vacuum in the upper portionof tank 48, which in turn will allow water to enter the toilet tank 38via fill or flow line 86 from fluid holding and treating tank 48. Whenenough water has again entered tank 3'8 to raise the float 118 andconnected lever arm 120 to the near horizontal position, valve 122becomes closed, thus closing the vacuum release, the vacuum is restoredin the upper portion of tank 48, and water no longer enters the toilettank 38 through fill line 86. Connected to the lower side of valve 122is an air line 124 one end of `which communicates with valve 122 and theother end of which is open and terminates in standpipe 72 adjacent thebottom of `flow line 74. Attached to the upper side of valve 122 isanother air line 126 one end of which communicates with the valve 122and the other end of which is connected to and extends through the upperwall portion of cylindrical tank 48. These two air lines 124 and 126function to relieve the vacuum in the upper portion of tank 48 above thefluid contained therein when valve 122 is in the open position. Whenthis vacuum is released and the pressure is equalized, the column offluid contained in tank 48 will gravity feed from the tank 48 throughfill line `86 and into toilet tank 38 refilling the same and preparingthe toilet for another flushing cycle. When tank 38 is filled and valve122 is closed, fluid ceases to flow from tank 48, vacuum is restored inthe upper portion of tank 48 and air is sucked from the forward portion56 of tank 32 from standpipe 72.

Mounted on lever arm 120 near its mid-portion is a mercury switch 128.Switch 128 is connected to a source of electrical current (not shown)and to the motor 52 controlling the operation thereof. When the leverarm 120 is in the position shown in FIG. 6, mercury switch 128 is in theopen position with the motor being inoperative, but when the Vlever arm120 is in its downward position switch 128 closes and motor 52 isconnected to the source of electrical current and operates to drive pump54 and aspirator 90. Thus when the toilet 34 is flushed and the waterwithin tank 38 moves downward, float 118 and lever arm 120 carryingmercury switch 128 move downward closing switching 128 and making thecircuit between the motor 52 and the source of electrical current foroperating the system. When the toilet tank 38 refills with water and thefloat 118 and lever arm 120 are floated to the generally horizontalposition, the mercury switch 128 is opened and the circuit between themotor S2 and the source of electrical rcurrent is broken thus stoppingthe operation of pump 54 and aspirator 90. Therefore, the aspirator isnormally operated only during the period when the toilet is in use andthroughout the completion of the flushing cycle thereof. However, shouldthe system be exposed to an extraordinary amount of use, the motor, pumpand aspirator 4may be operated by timed electrical means, such as, by atime clock so that the aspirator, pump and motor are run for longerperiods of time, as may be desired. Furthermore, it may be desirable torun motor, pump and aspirator by timed electrical means should thesystem not be exposed to a regular continuous use such that the sewagein tank 32 and the fluid in tank 48 may be periodically and continuallyexposed to the jet of the aspirator and/ or aerobically treated.

To put the system of this invention into operation the system enclosedWithin housing 10 is transported to the site at which it is desired toemploy this self-contained toilet and sewage treatment plant. Afterarrival at the desired location, the housing and system containedtherein are placed on the ground preferably such that the housing issetting in a fairly level position. The toilet tank 38 is then \lledwith water as well as sewage holding and treating tank 32. The level ofwater in this tank 32 should be well up into standpipe 72 but slightlybelow the ends of ow line 74 and air line 124 within the standpipe 72,as shown in FIG. 6. Fluid holding and treating tank 48 is also lled withclear water to a height just below the connection of overflow line 80.The iilling of the system with water may take place either at thelocation where the system is to be put into operation or prior to thetransportation of the system to the desired site of use. Additionally,to put the system into operation, it is required that mercury switch 128be connected to a source of electrical current. Once the system has beenfilled with clear water and the electrical connection made it is readyfor use and operation.

After the system of this invention is put into operation, excrementand/or waste may be deposited in the toilet bowl 36 of the toilet 34.After such use of the toilet bowl 36 the same is ushed by using theus'hing lever 42. The water contained within toilet tank 38 decreases insuch tank and ows into the bowl 36 to aid in flushing thereof. Theexcrement, waste and water pass from the toilet through toilet drainpipe 37 leading from the toilet into the rearward section 58 of sewageholding and treating tank 32 and drop thereinto. The deposit ofadditional Water and waste within tank 32 increases the iluid leveltherein to a point adjacent the top of standpipe 72 and a distance abovethe open bottom of iiow line 74 and air line 124 which extend a distancedownward into standpipe 72. As the water contained within toilet tank 38leaves the same in the iiushing of toilet bowl 36, the float 118 andlever arm 120 connected thereto move downward within the tank and opensvalve 122. Also as the float 118 and lever arm 120 move downward mercuryswitoh 128 is closed making contact between motor 52 and the source ofelectrical current such that the operation of motor 52, pump 54 andaspirator 90 begin. As the pump and aspirator are operated, the uidsupply therefor is drawn through intake line 100 and the air supplytherefor is drawn or sucked in through air line 106. The action of theaspirator breaks-up and macerates the waste and excrement, continuallycirculating the sewage in tank 32 and aerobically treating anddecomposing by the use of oxygen the decomposable organic wastematerials suspended therein. The circulatory, round and round current intank 32, particularly in the rearward section 58 thereof, increases theturbulent agitation within tank 32 thus keeping the particles of Wastematerial in suspension until substantially all have been digested by theaspirator. As the aspirator 90 draws in air through air line 106, avacuum is formed in the upper portion of fluid holding and treating tank48. The vacuum within tank 48 sucks up through ow line 74 the additionalwater or uid which was deposited in tank 32 when the toilet was ilushed.Small amounts of water and iluid will also be drawn into the upperportion of tank 48 by the vacuum therein through air line 124, the openvalve 122, and `air line 126. The vacuum in tank 48 will draw in uid andwater from tank 32 until the level of water in this tank drops to alevel just below the end of open air line 124. At this time or point inthe ushing cycle, air will pass through standpipe 72, air line 124, theopen valve 122 and air line 126 into the upper portion of tank 48thereby releaving the vacuum in the top thereof and permitting the waterand uid within this tank 48 to feed by gravity through lter 84, fillline 86 and check valve 88 therein, and into the toilet tank 38 toreplenish the supply of water in toilet tank 38. As water exits fromtank 48 through fill line 86 and lls toilet tank 38 the lever arm 128and attached oat 118 will gradually move upward within the tank to anear horizontal position and valve 122 will be closed, such closing ofvalve 122 stopping the supply of air coming through line 124 and flowingthrough line 126 to the top portion of tank 48, and stopping the iiow ofwater into toilet tank 38 from tank 48 through the ll line 86. As theair valve 122 is closed, aspirator 90 will again draw a vacuum in theupper portion of tank 48 and additionally draw further air throughstandpipe 72 and ow line 74 bubbling the same up through the remainingcolumn of iiuid in tank 48 to further aerobically treat the same. Whenthe oat 118 and attached lever arm 120 reach their horizontal oruppermost position within toilet tank 38, the mercury switch attached tolever arm 120 will open, thus de-energizing motor 52 and ceasing theoperation of the aspirator means. A iiushing cycle of the system iscompleted and the same is now ready for further use and flushing. Shouldit be desirable to operate the pump and aspirator without flushing thetoilet 34, the mercury type switch 128 may be bypassed and the motor,pump and aspirator may be operated continuously or at timed intervals,such as, by electrically timed means as hereinabove indicated.

When the aspirator is operated other than during a ushing cycle of thesystem its air supply will come through the top of standpipe 72 movingupward only through flow line 74 bubbling its way through the column offluid in tank 48 and through air intake line 106 passing to theaspirator. During such aspiration cycle, without ilushing the toilet,the air supply will not flow through air lines 124 and 126 and valve122, as valve 122 remains closed until the toilet is ushed.

While only a certain preferred embodiment of this invention has beenshown and described by way of illustration, lmany modications will occurto those skilled in the art and it is, therefore, desired that it beunderstood that it is intended in the appended claims to cover all suchmodiiications as fall within the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

What is claimed as new and what is desired to secure by Letters Patentof the United States is:

1. In a self-contained toilet and sewage treatment plant having a ushtype toilet including a water storage tank and a toilet bowl in whichwaste and excreta are deposited, comprising a sewage treating tank belowsaid toilet for receiving water and the deposited waste and excreta, ascreen within said tank dividing the same into forward and rearwardsections, said water and deposited waste being received in said rearwardsection, a uid holding tank positioned above said sewage treating tank,a flow line communicating between said `forward section of said sewagetreating tank and said uid holding tank, said iluid holding tankproviding a reservoir of iiuid with which to recharge the toilet waterstorage tank, another ow line communicating between said fluid holdingtank and the toilet water storage tank, an aspirating means positionedwithin said rearward section of said sewage treating tank to comminuteand aerobically decompose the deposited waste and excreta, and powermeans for operating said aspirating means.

2. In the self-contained toilet and sewage treatment plant as defined inclaim 1, wherein said power means for operating said aspirating meansincludes an electrical motor connected to a source of electrical energy,a pump driven by said motor, iiow line means communicating between saidforward section of Said sewage treating tank and said pump and saidaspirating means for supplying iiuid thereto, and an air flow linecommunicating between the upper portion of said fluid holding tank andsaid aspirating means for supplying air thereto, the air supplied tosaid aspirating means being drawn through the reservoir of iiuid in saidtluid holding tank to further aerobically treat said iiuid.

3. In the self-contained toilet and sewage treatment plant as defined inclaim 1, wherein said aspirating means includes an aspirator within ahollow housing having open ends, one of said open ends being positionedadjacent to the surface of the iiuid within said sewage treating tankfor gathering waste adjacent the fluid surface and directing the sametoward the Iother said open end of said aspirator housing, said otheropen end being positioned forwardly of said aspirator with the jet fromsaid aspirator being directed against a portion of said housing adjacentsaid other open end thereby increasing the cornminution of the depositedwaste and excreta t-herewithin.

4. In the self-contained toilet and sewage treatment plant as defined inclaim 1, wherein control means are provided to initiate the operation ofsaid power means when said toilet is flushed and terminate suchoperation when the water storage tank of the toilet has been rechargedwith uid, said control means including a switch operable in response tomovement of the iioat lever arm within the water storage tank of thetoilet.

5. In a self-contained toilet and sewage treatment plant of a portablenature having a flush type toilet including a water storage tank and atoilet bowl for the deposit of waste and excreta, with the water storagetank containing a float and lever arm connected thereto, comprising asewage treating tank positioned below the toilet for receiving andtreating water and the waste and excreta deposited in the toilet bowl,an upright screen extending from top to bottom across the mid-section ofsaid sewage treating tank to divide said tank into forward and rearwardsections, said water and waste being received in said rearward section,said screen maintaining said waste in said rearward section, a standpipepositioned in said forward section of said sewage treating tank, a iiuidholding tank positioned above said sewage treating tank to provide areservoir of liuid with which to recharge the toilet water storage tank,said Huid holding tank communicating with said forward section of saidsewage treating tank by a first iiow line connected to the bottom ofsaid iiuid holding tank and extending into said standpipe such thatfluid may pass into said fluid holding tank from said forward section,said fluid holding tank communicating with the toilet water storage tankby a second flow line to recharge the toilet water storage tank withfluid after a iiushing of the toilet, aspirating means positioned withinsaid rearward section of said sewage treating tank to comminute andaerobically decompose the deposited waste and excreta, said aspiratingmeans including an aspirator within a hollow housing having open ends ofunequal cross-sectional dimensions with the larger of said open endsbeing positioned adjacent the surface of the fluid within said sewagetreating tank for gathering waste adjacent the fluid surface anddirecting the same toward the other said open end of said aspiratorhousing, said other open end being positioned forwardly of saidaspirator with the jet from said aspirator being directed against aportion of said housing adjacent said other open end thereby increasingthe comminution `of the deposited waste and excreta therewit-hin, powermeans for supplying iiuid to said aspirator including iiuid flow linemeans communicating between said forward section of said sewage treatingtank and said aspirator, a flow line for supplying air to saidaspirator, said air iiow line communicating between the upper portion ofsaid liuid holding tank and said aspirator whereby the air is drawnthrough the reservoir of uid in said fluid holding tank to furtheraerobically treat said iiuid therein, control means to initiate theoperation of said power means when said toilet is flushed andterminatevsuch operation when the water storage tank of the toilet hasbeen recharged with liuid.

6. In the portable, self-contained toilet and sewage treatment plant asdefined in claim 5, wherein said power means includes an electricalmotor and a pump driven by said motor, said contr-ol means including amercury type switch mounted on the lever arm contained within the 70water storage tank of the toilet and connected in circuit between asource of electrical energy and said motor.

7. In the portable, self-contained toilet and sewage treatment plant asdefined in claim 5, wherein said fluid being passed through saidaspirator draws t-he air through said air flow line and creates a vacuumin said fupper portion of said fluid holding tank, further includingrelief means connected to said upper portion of said uid holding tank toperiodically relieve the vacuum formed therein to permit fluid containedwithin said uid holding tank to feed by gravity through said second flowline to recharge to toilet water storage tank after flushing thereof.

8. In the portable, self-contained toilet andl sewage treatment plantdefined in claim 7, wherein said relief means includes `a third flowline communicating between the upper portion of said standpipe and saidupper portion of said fluid holding tank, and a valve in said third flowline between its ends, said valve being normally in its closed positionto maintain the vacuum within said tank upper portion.

9. In the portable, self-contained toilet and sewage treatment plant asdefined in claim 8, wherein said valve is operatively connected to thelever arm of the toilet tank, said valve being in the closed positionwhen the lever arm and its attached oat lare in the non-flushingposition, said valve being in the open position when the lever arm andoat are in a ushing position.

10. In the portable, `self-contained toilet and sewage treatment plantas defined in claim 5, including a check valve in said lirst ow line topermit iiuid to pass into said uid holding tank from said forwardsection of said sewage treating tank and prevent the same from passingfrom said liuid holding tank into said forward section of said sewagetreating tank.

11. In the portable, self-contained toilet and sewage treating plant asdefined in claim 5, further including an overflow line extending throughsaid upper portion of said fluid holding tank, said overflow line beingconnected to said iiuid holding tank above the normal fluid levelmaintained therein and below the connection of said air flow line withinsaid upper portion of said fluid holding tank, said overow line 'havinga check valve therein, said check valve when in its open positionpermitting excess iiuids to pass outward of said iiuid holding tank andwhen in its closed position forming an air tight seal in said overowline such that a vacuum may be formed in said upper portion of saidiiuid holding tank.

12. In the portable, 'self-contained toilet and' sewage treatment plantas defined in claim 5, additionally including a check valve in saidsecond iiow line for permitting fluid to pass from said fluid holdingtank into the toilet water storage tank and preventing passage of fluidfrom said toilet water storage tank into said fluid holding tank.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,081,130 12/1913 Miller 4-1151,303,358 5/1919 Montgomery 4-115 2,740,971 4/ 1956 Weekes 4-1153,042,933 7/1962 Garver 4-115 3,067,433 12/1962 Dietz et al. 4-1153,112,497 12/1963 Call 4-115 3,183,525 5/1965 OBrien etal 4-1153,289,214 12/1966 Corliss 4-115 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,355,440 2/ 1964France.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner. D. MASSENBERG, Assistant Examiner.

